Merry Christmas from the Willis Family!

Christmas this year was a little different.  On one hand, we were so happy to be back in the States at Christmas time.  On the other hand, it was hard going through all the preparations without R here.  But we were excited because we knew he would be here for Christmas, and that was enough!

We bought a live Christmas tree this year.  I had these dreams of going to a Christmas tree farm, picking the perfect tree, and chopping it down.  In reality, we went down the street to Lowe's and bought a tree.  And a pretty small one at that, since I was the one that had to bring it in and get it set up.  But the kids enjoyed the real tree, no matter where it came from!

I let the kids hang most of the ornaments this year, since I was unpacking everything.  I handled it better than I thought I would....I only "rearranged" a few ornaments! : )

LOVE having a fireplace!

The final product!

Everything decorated, and all the shopping done!  Now we just had to wait until the 20th for R to come home for an extended, much-needed visit!  It was a great time together as a family!

Merry Christmas!  I hope everyone had a blessed holiday season! 

Girls' Trip to Tulsa!!

In December the girls and I headed to Tulsa for a show on the Hits Deep Tour.  It was an amazing lineup of Christian artists, and I thought it would be a fun way for us to get away and enjoy ourselves.  It was just what we needed!  MiMi & PaPa came up and stayed with Little R, and off we went to Tulsa on a Thursday afternoon!!

The view from our 9th floor hotel room.

Jumpin' for Joy!

We had VIP passes, so we got in early and had a little acoustic performance with some of the guys, and a question and answer session.  It was pretty cool!  We were thrilled that Brandon Heath was one that we got to see "up close and personal".

Toby Mac during the VIP question and answer.  We had R on the phone (even though it was the middle of the night in Germany) and Toby Mac said hi to him...made his night!! 

Capital Kings. 

Colton Dixon.  We LOVE this guy!  Followed him on American Idol, and we love the music he is making!

Jamie Grace.

Brandon Heath again...this time a little less personal!

Mandisa.  First time we had seen her live.  She is AH-Mazing!! 

Toby Mac...doin' his thing!

The girls with Chris August after the show.  Love his music, and he was a great guy....talked to the girls for several minutes!

Brandon Heath after the show...LOVE him, LOVE his music!!  We had seen him in concert and met him before...he was just as great this time!

And last, but not least.  A short video of my very favorite Christmas song!  It's called "Just a Girl" by Brandon Heath.  Love, love, love the song!  And it's even better when you're sitting right in front of him, and he's singing it TO YOU!!  Look up the song, listen to the whole thing...it's wonderful!